Fluid cooling apparatus



s- 22. 1950 H. G. MQJQNNIER ETAL 2,519,845

FLUID COOLING APPARATUS Filed May 22, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 9' .45

INVENTORJ.

MGover W Patented Aug. 22, 1950 FLUID COOLING APPARATUS Harry G. Moionnier, Oak Park, and Bernard J.

MoGo

vern,

Chicago, 111., aslignorl, by direct and mesne assignments, to Mojonnier Bros. 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 22, 1946, Serial No. 671,850

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to heat exchanger or cooling apparatus and particularly to such apparatus for use in refrigerating systems.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved heat exchanger or cooling apparatus of improved construction and operating characteristics for use in refrigerating systems.

More specifically stated. it i an object of the invention to provide an improved cooling apparatus, of the type defined, for the continuous cooling of fluids, such as liquids and gases, wherein a compact and simplified structure of low cost provides improved fluid cooling with a minimum utilization of cooling medium or refrigerant, and has improved provisions for sanitation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cooling apparatus particularly adapted for concurrent cooling and carbonating of water for use in connection with carbonated beverage bottling apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cooling apparatus wherein return of liquid refrigerant from the cooler to the compressor is prevented.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Figure l is a general lay-out, somewhat diagrammatic in form, of a refrigerant system incorporating a cooling apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed view, in longitudinal section, of one of the tube members of the cooling apparatus.

Figure 3 is a top view of the cooling apparatus, on an enlarged scale, with parts broken away to illustrate certain of the details of construction.

Figure 4 is a view on an enlarged scale, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of the cooling apparatus of Figure l, with portions broken away to show various of the details oi construction.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the outer tube member illustrating certain of the details of construction.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, in

Figure 1 there is shown somewhat diagranh maticaily. a refrigerating system comprising a refrigerant compressor or ice machine iii driven by a suitable source of power, such as an electric motor it, through a belt or other drive M. The compressed refrigerant, such as ammonia or Freon, passes through a pipe or conduit III into a condenser ll, indicated diagrammatically, wherein the refrigerant is condensed into liquid form. The liquid refrigerant is then transmitted through the pipe or conduit 20 into an injector structure 22, later to be described, by which it is introduced into the evaporator or cooler 24. To enable flow of the refrigerant from the condenser into the cooler to be shut oi! when desired, there is provided a valve 26 controlled by a solenoid 28, the actuation of which may be controlled in any suitable manner.

The liquid to be cooled, which may be water, water containing a syrup. or other fluid medium, is introduced into the cooler through a supply pipe 30, the flow being controllable by the shutofi' valve I2. Within the cooler the water and the refrigerant are brought in thermal contact in a manner subsequently to be described in more detail. After cooling, the water is withdrawn from the cooler through an outlet or exhaust pipe 34. The refrigerant, transformed into a gaseous or vapor state within the cooler, is returned to the compressor through an exhaust pipe 36, under control of a back-pressure regulator valve 88, and returned to the compressor for re-circulation through the refrigerating system by means of the return line 40.

As illustrated in detail in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the jacket of the cooler is formed of an outer cylindrical metal shell 42 and an inner cylindrical metal shell 44, the space between the outer and inner shells being filled with an insulating material 46, such as cork, asbestos, or glass wool. The inner shell 44 is secured at its upper end as by welding or the like, to a tube sheet 48 and at its lower end to a tube sheet 50, forming a cylindrical tank structure into which the refrigerant is adapted to be introduced, as will be described. The outer shell 42 embraces the tube sheet and extends therebetween.

Disposed inwardly of the inner shell 44 of the cooler is a cylindrical passage or outer tube member I52 which is connected at its lower end to the inner shell, by welding or other suitable means. through an annular flange or baflle plate 54, preferably formed as an integral part of the tube member. This baflie plate or wall is spaced inwardly of the lower tube sheet 50 and, with the cylindrical wall of the tube member 52, divides the tank into an upper refrigerant chamber 56 and a lower refrigerant chamber 88. At its upper end the tube member terminates short of the upper tube sheet 18, thereby providing access between the upper and lower refrigerant chambers. For rigidity, the upper end of the tube member is preferably anchored to the inner shell through a segmental annular flange 80 having fins or skirts 62 and 84 extending downwardly from either end of the flange. By anchoring the flange member, as by welding, to the inner shell at a point overlying the outlet of the exhaust pipe I8 the flange and fin structure is enabled not only to rigidfy the tube member but to serve as a shield or baille member, functioning in the manner to be later described.

The details of construction of the inner tube.

members 68 are best illustrated in Figure 2. As therein shown, the tubes are secured or anchored in the upper and lower tube sheets by annular ridges indicated at BB and 10 which are formed in the tubes by expansion after they have been inserted in the tube sheets. It will be understood that they may be secured by other suitable means, such as welding or the like.

An upper head member I2 of dome-like shape forms the upper end of the cooler 24. With the tube sheet 48, the head member forms an upper fluid chamber or reservoir 14 into which the water or other fluid to be cooled is introduced through the inlet pipe 80, the inner end of which may be formed as an integral part of the head member. The head member may be secured to the upper end of the tank structure by any means capable of providing a leak-proof joint. As illustrated in the drawings, this is accomplished by the provision of an annular ring or a. base plate I6 to which the dome portion of the head member is secured, as by welding. The ring is then preferably removably secured to the upper tube sheet 48 by means of bolts I8 to provide a fliid tight joint, a gasket 80 of suitable composition being interposed between the ring and the tube sheet.

The lower end of the cooler is formed by a .lower dome-shaped head member 82 which is attached to the tank structure through the ring 84, the bolts 86 and the gasket BB in the same manner as the upper head member. With the tube sheet the lower head member forms a lower fluid chamber or reservoir 90 for the fluid to be cooled after cooling, the lower chamber communicating with the upper chamber through the tube members 66. The inner end of the outlet or exhaust pipe 34, through which the cooled liquid is withdrawn from the cooler, may be formed as an integral part of the lower head chamber.

As shown in Figure 2, cap or plu members 02 are seated or fit in the upper ends of the tube members 66. The cap members extend upwardly of the upper surface of the tube sheet 48 and, as will be understood, may be seated loosely or secured to the tube members, but are preferably removable to enable the latter to be cleaned readily. The cap members are provided with a series of annular openings 94 of predetermined size for metering and controlling the downward flow of fluid through the tubes 68. The cap members are also provided with upwardly extending pipes or projections 98 for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

As previously mentioned, the refrigerant is introduced into the cooler through the injector structure 22. In detail, the injector comprises a housing 98 secured to the tank structure by bolts I00 and having a chamber I02 communicating with the upper rerigerant chamber 56.

The refrigerant enters the chamber from the condenser through an injector nozzle I" from whence it is driven through the injector throat I 06 into the lower refrigerant chamber 58. The pressure of the refrigerant entering the housing from the injector nozzle serves both to force new refrigerant from the condenser into the lower refrigerant chamber 58 and to cause circulation of refrigerant from the upper refrigerant chamber ill to the lower refrigerant chamber through the chamber I02 and the injector throat I". The nozzle utilized will be of a size determined by the maximum cooling capacity and requirements of the refrigerating system. In operation only a relatively small percentage of the refrigerant in the cooler will be new refrigerant entering through the nozzle IN, the bulk of the refrigerant being that circulating between the upper and lower refrigerant chambers through the injector throat.

To enable the condition of the refrigerant in the cooler to be readily determined there are provided sight glasses Hi8 and H0 associated with the refrigerant chamber, and a thermometer or heat indicator H2.

In operation, the fluid medium to be cooled is introduced into the upper fluid chamber ll through the supply pipe 30. After the level of the flud medium within the chamber has reached that of the tops of the cap members 82, it flows through the annular orifices ill into the inner tube members 58 through which it flows or passes downwardly as a circumferential film to the lower fluid chamber 90. Thus, the cap members, with the upper surface of the tube sheet 48, form a distributor structure which causes the fluid medium to be cooled to flow downwardly uniformly through all of the tube members 86 and, by use of orifices of predetermined size, to flow at the des'red rate. After cooling, the cooled medium is withdrawn from the lower fluid chamber through the outlet pipe 34.

The refrigerant, on entering the lower refrigerant chamber through the injector throat I06, is forced upwardly through the outer tube member 52. After passing along substantially the full length of the exterior surfaces of the inner tube members 68, the refrigerant overflows at the upper end of the outer tube member into the upper refrigerant chamber 56. The close association of the several inner tube members 68 within the outer tube member 52 restricts the free space within the latter to a relatively small area, reducing the volumetric requirements of the refrigerating space in proportion to efficiency, and also causing the refrigerant to flow turbulently through the outer tube member as it is constantly recirculated between the upper and lower refrigerant chambers. The turbulence so produced effects a maximum absorption of heat by the refrigerant.

That portion of the refrigerant converted to the gaseous or vapor Phase by the heat transfer process while the liquid being cooled and the refrigerant are in thermal contact, is exhausted from the tank through the exhaust pipe 35 and returned to the compressor for compression and re-circulation through the refrigerating system. At the same time, the shield or baffle-member, formed by the flange Bil and skirts 62 and N, by blocking access to the exhaust pipe-except from below. prevents return of liquid refrigerant to the compressor.

It should be particularly noted that the liquid level in the upper refrigerant chamber 56 may be I maintained only at the level A-A, while, at the same time. stant contact with the refrigerant for substantially their entire length. This arrangement thus provides maximum cooling capacity with respect to the size of the cooler at the expenditure of a minimum of refrigerant. The free space above the level A-A also provides adequate space for the vaporized refrigerant to separate from its liquid phase without forcing the latter through the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the down-flow of the fluid to be cooled in the form of a circumferential film along the inner walls of the inner tube members it affords maximum thermal contact between the fluid and the refrigerant, and,

with the constant circulation turbulence of therefrigerant provides a maximum transfer of heat during the cooling process. Thus. there is provided a cooling apparatus of the refrigerant flooded type which is low in cost, highly efficient and readily controllable. The construction provides a minimum of parts and may be readily cleaned. Close manufacturing tolerances are avo ded, particularly in the relative positioning of the inner and outer tube members.

The utili y of the cooling apparatus may be increased by the provision of mean for carbonating or otherwise impregnating the fluid to be cooled during the cooling process. Such means are shown in the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention. As best illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, in the particular embodiment illustrated a carbonating gas is drawn from a suitable source of compressed carbon dioxide through a supply pipe H8 reduces the pressure of the gas to the desired level, after which it passes through a shut-off valve H8 and an inlet pipe fill into the lower fluid chamber 90. Thence it flows upwardly through the inner tube members 60, wherein it contacts and is absorbed by the downward flowing film of the fluid being cooled. That portion of the gas not so absorbed can pass from the tubes through the pipes 98 which, by projecting above the liquid level in the upper fluid chamber 14, minimize back pressure within the tube members. To enable the pressure of gas within the upper fluid chamber to be readily determined, there is provided an indicator or pressure gauge I". When desired, the gas may be released from the upper fluid chamber through the purge or blow-off valve IN. The provision of means for carbonating or otherwise impregnating the medium to be cooled concurrently with cooling. particularly adapts the cooling apparatus of the present invention for use with apparatus for bottling carbonated beverages. In such case, the medium to be cooled is either water or water containing syrup. On being withdrawn from the cooling apparatus, the cooled carbonated liquid may be led directly to bottling apparatus.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiment set forth for purposes of illustration without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the water or other medium to be cooled could be recirculated through the unit or the inner tube members arranged to provide a plurality of passes within the structure, the outer tube member could be replaced by a series of tube members each surrounding a plurality of the inner tube members. or the structure could be-addapted for horizontal rather than vertical position. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the specific em the inner tube members tl are in conill. A pressure regulator i bodiment shown and described. but only as indlcated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure. a larger tube member arranged within and extending longitudinally of said structure. a plurality of smaller tube members disposed within said larger tube member and surrounded thereby, means for directing a, cooling medium and a medium to be cooled through said tube members, one of said mediums being directed through said larger tube member externally of the smaller tube members and the other medium being directed internally of said smaller tube members, whereby the wall surfaces of said ,smaller tube members constitute heat transfer surfaces engaged by the cooling medium and the medium to be cooled to effect transfer of heat therebetween, and means for effecting the recirculating of the medium flowing through said larger tube member, said last named means including a passage disposed internally of the tank structure in communication with the opposite ends of said larger tube member.

2. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, a larger tube member arranged within and extending longitudinally of said structure, a plurality of smaller tube members disposed within said larger tube member and surrounded thereby, means for directing a cooling medium and a medium to be cooled through said tube members, one of said mediums being directed through said larger tube member externally of the smaller tube members and the other medium being directed internally of said smaller tube members, whereby the wall surfaces of said smaller tube members constitute heat transfer surfaces engaged by the cooling medium and the medium to be cooled to effect transfer of heat therebetween, and means including an annular passage disposed within the tank externally of said larger tube member and communicating with the opposite ends thereof for effecting the recirculation of the medium flowing through said larger tube member.

3. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, a plurality of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally through said tank structure, an outer tube member extending longitudinally within said tank structure and surrounding a plurality of said inner tube members, means for directing a medium to be cooled through said inner tube members and a refrigerant medium through said outer tube member, whereby the wall surfaces of said inner tube members constitute heat transfor surfaces between the refrigerant and the medium to be cooled to effect transfer of heat therebetween. a refrigerant reservoir within the tank structure of substantial length longitudinally thereof in which the refrigerant is maintained in part in its liquid phase and in part in its vapor phase, and an exhaust conduit for the vapor phase refrigerant communicating with the refrigerant reservoir adjacent the upper end thereof.

4. A cooling apparatus comprising an upright tank structure, a plurality of inner tube members forming a first tube structure arranged within and extending substantially vertically through said tank structure, means for anchoring said inner tube members at their upper and lower ends, an outer tube member forming a second structure extending substantially vertically within said tank structure and surrounding said inner tube members for substantially their entire length, said outer tube member being spaced from the side walls of the tank, means for anchoring said outer tube member at its lower end, means for directing a medium to be cooled and a refrigerant respectively through said tube structures, whereby the wall surfaces of said inner tube members constitute heat transfer surfaces between the refrigerant and the medium to be cooled to eflect.transfer of heat therebetween, said directing means including an outlet at one end of the tank structure in communication with one end of said outer tube member and an inlet at the other end of said tank structure in communication with the other end of the outer tube member and with the chamber space between the outer tube member and the side walls of the tank.

5. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, a plurality of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally through said tank structure, means for anchoring said inner tube members to said tank structure adjacent their ends, an outer tube member extending longitudinally within said tank structure and surrounding said inner tube members for substantially their entire length, means for connecting the lower end of said outer tube member to said tank structure, said last named means and said outer tube member dividing said tank structure into upper and lower chambers, means for directing a liquid medium to be cooled through said inner tube members, and means for introducing refrigerant into said outer tube member and directing said refrigerant between said upper and lower chambers, whereby heat transfer is effected between said medium to be cooled and said refrigerant through the wall surfaces of said inner tube members, said upper chamber being provided with an exhaust for gaseous refrigerant at the upper end thereof.

6. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, a plurality of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally of said tank structure, means for anchoring said tube members to said tank structure adjacent their ends, an outer tube member extending within said tank structure and surrounding said inner tube members for substantially their entire length, means for anchoring the lower end of said outer tube member to said tank structure, said last named anchoring means dividing said tank structure into upper and lower refrigerant chambers, means for introducing liquid refrigerant into said lower chamber, means for exhausting gaseous refrigerant from said upper chamber, and means overlying said exhausting means for anchoring the upper end of said outer tube member to said tank structure and preventing escape of liquid refrigerant from said exhausting means I. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, an upper head member attached to the upper end of said tank structure, a lower head member attached to the lower end of said tank structure, said head members forming upper and lower fluid chambers, a plurality of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally through said tank structure, said tube members connecting said upper and lower fluid chambers, means for anchoring the opposite ends of said tube members to said tank structure, said means separating said fluid chambers from the interior of said tank structure, an outer tube member extending longitudinally within said tank structure and surroundchambers,

in: said inner tube members for substantially their entire length, means for anchoring the lower end of said outer tube member to said tank structure. said last named means dividing the interior of said tank structure into upper and lower refrigerant chambers, means for introducing a fluid to be cooled into said upper fluid chamber for circulation through said inner tube members to said lower fluid chamber. means for circulating a refrigerant through said outer tube member and between said upper and lower refrigerant chambers, whereby heat transfer is eifected between said fluid to be cooled and said refrigerant through the wall surfaces of said inner tube members. and an outlet for gaseous refrigerant adjacent the upper end of said upper refrigerant chamber.

8. A cooling apparatus according to claim I wherein the refrigerant circulating means comprises an injector structure.

9. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, an upper head member attached to the upper end of said tank structure, a lower head member attached to the lower end of said tank structure, said head members forming upper and lower fluid chambers, a plurality of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally through said tank structure. said tube members connecting said upper and lower fluid chambers, means for anchoring the opposite ends of said tube members to said tank structure, said means separating said fluid chambers from the interior of said tank structure, an outer tube member extending longitudinally within said tank structure and surrounding said inner tube members for substantially their entire length, means for anchoring the lower end of said outer tube member to said tank structure, said last named means dividing the interior of said tank structure into upper and lower refrigerant chambers, means for introducing a fluid to be cooled into said upper fluid chamber, means for controlling the downward flow of said fluid through said inner tube members to said lower fluid chamber, and means for circulating a refrigerant through said outer tube member and between said upper and lower refrigerant chambers, whereby heat transfer is effected between said fluid to be cooled and said refrigerant through the wall surfaces of said inner tube members.

10. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, a plurality of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally through said tank structure, means for anchoring said tube members adjacent their opposite ends to said tank structure, an upper head member attached to the upper end of said tank structure, a, lower head member attached to the lower end of said tank structure, said anchoring means separating said head members from the interior of said tank structure and forming with said head members upper and lower fluid chambers, said fluid chambers being connected through said inner tube members, an outer tube member extending longitudinally of said tank structure and surrounding said inner tube members, the upper and lower ends of said outer tube member being spaced inwardly of the corresponding ends of the interior of said tank structure, a battle wall connecting the lower end of said outer tube member to said tank structure and dividing the interior of said tank structure into upper and lower refrigerant means for introducing a fluid to be 9 cooled into said upper fluid chamber, means for controlling the downward flow of said fluid through said inner tube members to said lower fluid chamber, means for introducing liquid refrigerant into said outer tube member and circulating said liquid refrigerant between said upper and lower refrigerant chambers, means for exhausting gaseous refrigerant from said tank structure. and a baiiie member overlying said exhausting means for anchoring the upper end of said outer tube member to said tank structure, said bai'ile member preventing escape of liquid refrigerant from said tank structure.

11 A cooling apparatus according to claim in which the means for introducing a liquid refrigerant into the outer tube member and circulating said refrigerant between the upper and lower refrigerant chambers comprises an injector structure.

12. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, a plurality of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally through said tank structure. an outer tube member extending longitudinally within said tank structure and surrounding said inner tube members for substantially their entire length, means for directing a fluid to be cooled through said inner tube members and a refrigerant through said outer tube member, and means for directinga carbonating gas through said inner tube members into contact with said fluid to be cooled.

13. A cooling apparatus comprising a tank structure, an upper head member attached to the upper end of said tank structure, a lower head member attached to the lower end of said tank structure, a nluralitv of inner tube members arranged within and extending longitudinally through said tank structure, means for anchoring said inner tube members to said tank structure adjacent their opposite ends, said anchoring means separating said upper and lower head members from the interior of said tank structure and with said head members forming upper and lower fluid chambers, said chambers being connected through said inner tube members, an outer tube member extending longitudinally within said tank structure and surrounding said inner tube members for substantially their entire length, the ends of said outer tube member being spaced inwardly of the corresponding ends of the interior of said tank structure, baflie means anchoring the lower end of said outer tube member to said tank structure, said baiiie means dividing the interior of said tank structure into upper and lower refrigerant chambers, means for introducing a fluid to be cooled into said upper fluid chamber for circulation downwardly through said inner tube members to said lower fluid chamber, means for introducing a refrigerant into said outer tube member and circulating said refrigerant between said upper and lower refrigerant chambers, and means for introducing a carbonated gas into the lower fluid chamber and causing said gas to now upwardly through said inner tube members to said upper fluid chamber.

HARRY G. MOJONNIER. BERNARD J. McGOVERN.

REFERENCES CITED he following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNTTED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,101,969 Still June 30, 1914 1,794,336 Jacocks Feb. 24, 1931 2,164,081 Phillips June 27, 1937 

